Breast-Feeding

Breast-feeding provides your new baby with good nutrition and helps develop a close bond between you and your infant. Breast milk also contains antibodies (substances that help protect your baby against some diseases). Breast milk for the sick or fragile baby can be like “medicine” for your baby. Babies who are fed with breast milk are generally healthier and have fewer allergic problems (like eczema and asthma). They have fewer ear infections, digestive problems and are hospitalized less often than those fed with prepared formulas or other milks. Breast milk may also provide some protection from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Breast-feeding gives a sense of warmth, closeness and pleasure to both your baby and you. But it doesn’t happen by instinct
as it does in animals. Mothers need to understand the process to be successful. The following tips may help you.

First, Try to Relax

Picture 1 - Relax and enjoy this special time with baby.

Try to be as relaxed as possible. If you are tense and nervous, it will interfere with the "milk let-down" and the flow of milk. Select a comfortable chair or lie down if you prefer (Picture 1).

Helping Your Baby Learn to Suck

Hold your baby with his tummy to yours. Baby's ear, shoulder and hip should be in a straight line.

Press in and let go a few times on the areola (a-REE-oh-lah), the dark outer part of your nipple. This will help start the flow of milk.

Stroke your baby's upper lip with your nipple. The stroking will cause your baby to open his mouth wide to find the nipple.

Teach your baby to "latch on" with his tongue down and mouth wide open.

It will take a little time for your baby to learn how to get a large part of the areola into his mouth. When he learns to do this, he will start pressing on the areola with his tongue and gums while sucking on the nipple. This action will make the milk flow.

At first let your baby breast-feed on both breasts at each feeding. The sucking helps to stimulate milk supply. To keep the milk supply equal in both breasts, start with the opposite breast at each feeding. For example, at 8:00 am let your baby nurse from the right breast then the left breast. At 11:00 am start with the left breast then the right breast. Let your baby nurse on the first breast as long as possible so your baby gets your “hind milk” which has the most fat and calories.

Your baby may need more sucking time later. It is fine to let your baby suck longer. Every baby has his or her own style. One baby may nurse quickly and finish a breast in 10 minutes. Another may need to nurse 20 minutes on each breast.

Burping

Your baby may swallow air while breast-feeding. This air should be brought up or "burped" to prevent stomach pain. To remove the air bubbles, sit your baby on your lap and support his head with your hand. With your other hand, gently pat or rub his back. After you hear a burp, continue feeding your baby. A little milk may come out with the burp, so have a clean cloth ready.

Try to burp your baby after he has finished one breast. Burp again after he finishes nursing on the other side.

Feeding Schedule

Breast-fed babies eat more often than formula-fed babies do. This is because breast milk is easier for babies to digest. Your baby will need to be breast-fed every 1 to 3 hours at first. In time, your baby will let you know when he or she is hungry.

Night feedings must be given during the first few months of life. Remember, your baby will outgrow this need. Try to relax and enjoy the quiet time during the night nursing.

You will know if your baby is getting the right amount of milk by his or her weight. Most babies gain 4 to 7 ounces per week for about the first 6 months. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s weight. If your baby is getting enough to eat, there should be at least six wet diapers and one bowel movement each day.

If your baby is receiving any breast milk, the baby will need vitamin supplements with at least 400 iu of Vitamin D. Please discuss this with your doctor.

Supplemental Feedings

Avoid bottle feedings during the first 3 weeks. However, when you need to be away from your baby for a few hours, you may substitute a bottle feeding. (Breast milk in the bottle is best.) Bottle feedings may be needed when baby stays with a baby-sitter (or you can try to leave and go home between feeding times.) Your baby may be fed breast milk or formula from the bottle, but doctors recommend babies receive breast milk during the first 12 months.

Pumped Breast Milk

You can pump your breasts and leave this milk to be fed to your baby while you are away.

When pumping your breasts, collect all the milk in one sterile container. Then pour the milk into sterile baby bottles in the amounts your infant usually takes at one feeding. Start with 2 to 3 ounces per bottle for a baby up to 3 months of age. Refer to the Helping Hand, Breast Care and Expressing Milk, HH-IV-61.

The breast milk may be refrigerated for 5 to 7 days. It can be frozen in a refrigerator freezer for up to 3 months and in a deep freeze for up to one year. Frozen milk should be thawed in a container of warm water. Keep thawed milk in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused milk after 24 hours. Do not refreeze thawed milk.

Do not microwave breast milk! This can destroy the parts of the milk that protect your baby from illness and it could burn your baby’s mouth!

Breast Care

Wash your breasts with clear water and pat dry.

Leave breasts open to the air a few times a day to help prevent sore nipples.

Wear a bra that gives your breasts good support. Wear the bra all the time, even to bed.

If your nipples get sore or cracked, dab breast milk around the nipple and areola while nursing your baby. There are natural ingredients in breast milk that help heal sore nipples. If your nipples are still sore after the first few days, it may be caused by the position of your baby at the breast. Contact your doctor or a lactation consultant for help.

Your Nutrition

Mothers who breast-feed should have more calories and protein each day than they would normally need (Picture 2). Eating an extra meal each day (such as a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a glass of milk) adds more calories for energy and protein to the diet. Meat, fish, milk and cheese are all high in protein. Many mothers naturally lose extra weight gained during pregnancy while breast-feeding.

Eating the right foods and drinking plenty of liquids will help keep milk production up. Drink enough liquids to keep your urine pale yellow.

While you are sitting down to nurse your baby, it’s a good time to drink a glass of water or juice.

Menstruation

Your menstrual periods may stop during the time you are breast-feeding. However, if you do not want to become pregnant, ask your doctor to suggest the birth control method that is best for you.

Medications

Avoid using medications when possible. This includes herbs, high dose vitamins and unusual supplements. Keep caffeine intake to a minimum. Alcohol is a drug and nursing mothers should avoid drinking alcohol.

Most prescription drugs are safe to use but be sure to check with your doctor, pharmacist or lactation specialist.

Smoking

Smoking in the same room with your baby is harmful to your baby. It increases the risk your child will have more colds, respiratory problems and possibly SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day decreases a mother's milk supply.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your doctor, nurse, or lactation consultant. For an outpatient referral, please have your physician call (614) 722-5228.